Energy foods benefit the brain as well as the body. They provide glucose
and micronutrients, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and
iron, to maximize our mental performance and to help us cope for better
under pressure. They enhance the carbohydrate-protein balance in our diet
to make us calmer and more alert, and improve the quality of our sleep.
They also reduce our reaction to common causes of food intolerance and
make us less prone to depression, headaches, and general tiredness. Here
are six sample ways to boost your brain power.

Kick-start vitality :

Eat a good breakfast to
avoid low blood sugar in the late morning, and to
sharp your memory and mental clarity.

Snack often :

Boost your vitality mid-morning and mid-afternoon with a quick-fix snack
or drink. These will help to
keep you alert right up until the end of the
day.

Eat regularly :

Keep regular meal times and do not skip meals. Research shows that eating
several small meals per day
helps the brain to work more efficiently than
having one or two big meals.

Oil the cogs :

Ensure your body gets a rich supply of essential fatty acids by including
salads, green leafy vegetables and some safflower and sunflower oil in
your diet. Low in saturated animal fats, energy foods are high in plant
polyunsaturates, which
keep our brain cells in peak condition.

Power sleep :

Take a power nap after your midday meal. Brain efficiency naturally drops
after lunch, and the short time it takes to recharge your batteries will
more than repay itself in
extra mental energy later in the day.